Their vines laden with bunches of grapes, Heathcote’s winemakers and vignerons seem set for a promising harvest.
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He won’t know for sure until the fruit starts to ripen, but vigneron Ron Laughton of Jasper Hill expects to be picking wine grapes about March.
“We expect harvest to be a little later than it was last year,” he said.
Last year’s vintage was the earliest it had been in 35 years, Mr Laughton said, having taken place in February.
“The rain during spring and early summer has been good,” he said.
“We probably don’t need any more rain now."
Liam Anderson, of Wild Duck Creek Estate, said it had been one of those vintages where the vines had looked great from the very beginning.
He was hopeful the fortuitous form would continue.
“It should be a great vintage,” he said.
Mr Anderson welcomed the prospect of March harvest, as it would allow winemakers and vignerons more time to prepare for the busy period ahead.